The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D. was the founder and first President of Kenyon College serving from 1824 to 1831. Chase was also the first Episcopal Bishop of Ohio. This collection of his letters is kept in the College Archives and is available to researchers.
The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-23-1827Chase is recovering though he still can't walk much and misses his family very much. He is gaining more subscribers for the Ohio cause.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-27-1827Chase writes about dining with friends and gaining new subscribers for the College for a total of more than $1,000 in New York and an increase of $200 in Philadelphia.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
1-28-1827Dudley thanks his nephew for his last letter and tells George to give his best to his wife and child.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-28-1827Chase updates his wife on current subscriptions and potential students for the College. He also delivers specific messages for each of his children, whom he misses very much.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-31-1827Chase updates his wife about a meeting he had with Bishop Hobart, and tells her that Mr. Tappan has just pledged $1,000 to create a Divinity Professorship.
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Memorandum on founding Theological Professorship at Kenyon
Philander Chase
1-31-1827Memorandum on founding Theological Professorship at Kenyon.
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Letters to G.W. Marriott and Philander Chase
Thomas Hartwell Horne
2-2-1827Two letters in one document. Horne writes to G.W. Marriott and remembers Chase fondly, but will be unable to travel to Ohio because he has to care for his orphan niece and nephew. Marriott writes to Bp. Chase that he and others are very pleased with the engraving of Kenyon College. Bishop White is very sick and may die soon. Marriott also writes of his own improving health and the medicinal benefits of the mustard seed.
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Letter to Benjamin Allen
Philander Chase
2-5-1827Chase tells Mr. Allen that he has been sick but hopes to recover soon. He asks him to send a box to New York through Leonard Kip and tells Mr. Allen that there haven't been any new subscriptions since he has been sick.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
William Sparrow
2-7-1827Mr. Sparrow asks about a box of books for the school, which is missing but desperately needed. He also discusses Chase's progress and the reactions of other Bishops.
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Letter to Benjamin Allen
Philander Chase
2-20-1827Chase discusses subscriptions as well as the box of books which has not yet arrived and which Mr. Sparrow desperately needs at the school.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
2-25-1827Dudley thanks his nephew for his last letter which included a vivid description of the weather in Vermont. He tells George that he will be home as soon as next Sunday. Dudley also discusses affairs in the Senate.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Timothy Wiggin
2-26-1827Wiggin writes that there will soon be important information about Ohio and the Seminary and tells Marriott to avoid giving land near the Seminary to any but the most "desirable" purchasers. He informs Marriott he is very pleased with Mr. West's recent statement and that they should prepare for his reception in Ohio.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
3-1-1827Marriott introduces George Montgomery West and describes his background and achievements, as well as laying out West's objects in wishing for episcopal Ordination from Bishop Chase.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Bexley
3-1-1827Lord Bexley discusses books he has sent to America and assures Chase of his continuing support for his cause.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Eliza Wiggin
3-1-1827Eliza expresses her delight in Chases's success in Philadelphia and assures him of her continued friendship and support to his College. She also gives updates on the health and general wellbeing of their English friends.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
3-2-1827Lord Kenyon updates Chase on his family and forwards him a letter from Lord Bexley.
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Letter to Rev. Samuel Jarvis
Philander Chase
3-9-1827Chase discusses progress with subscriptions and his plans to travel to Boston.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
3-15-1827Kenyon discusses Mr. West coming to Ohio as well as Bishop Hobart's latest sermon and his own continued support for Chase and his cause.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-18-1827While in Sutton, Chase stayed with Aunt March, which brought to his mind a lot of childhood memories. He also traveled to Oxford with Mr. Wilkinson to dine with Mr. Slater, who donated $100 to the College.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
3-23-1827Wiggin speaks highly of Mr. West, suggesting that his employment to the College is as promising as the purchase of the land. He gives Chase financial advice on the transfer of English funds to America and has purchased stock in the US Bank, which will be transferred to the committee of Trustees of the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Lord Gambier
3-28-1827Lord Gambier thanks Marriott for sending him the papers about Mr. West and agrees that he will be of great service to Bp. Chase.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-29-1827Chase praises his wife for dismissing a student who used profane language. He has distributed over 500 "Pleas" to potential subscribers in Boston and has had even more success here than in New York or Philadelphia.
